7 Physical symptoms that prove depression is not just in your head

We do not often pair depression with physical pain but research shows that this mental illness can really hurt.

Depression hurts. And while we often pair this mental illness with emotional pain such as sadness, crying, and feelings of hopelessness, the source of the research shows that depression can also manifest as physical pain.

While we don’t often think of depression as a physical illness, some cultures do - especially those where it is “forbidden” to openly discuss mental health.

For example, in Chinese and Korean cultures, depression is considered a myth. So patients, unaware that physical pain may be a sign of psychological distress, go to doctors to treat their physical symptoms rather than describe grief. But keeping these physical symptoms above mind is as important as the emotional effects. For one, this is a great way to keep the examination in your body and mind. Physical symptoms can signal when an hour of depression begins or you will be identified if you may experience depression. On the other hand, physical symptoms show that sadness is, in fact, very real and can harm our overall well-being.

Here are seven of the most common physical symptoms of depression:

1. Fatigue or constant lower energy levels - Fatigue is a common symptom of depression. Occasionally we all experience lower energy levels and may feel sluggish in the morning, expecting to stay in bed and watch TV instead of working.

While we often believe that fatigue comes from stress, depression can also cause fatigue. However, unlike daily stress, depression associated with depression can also cause concentration problems, feelings of irritability, and apathy.

Dr. Maurizio Fava Source, Director of the Clinical Research Program at Boston General Hospital of Boston, suggests that depressed individuals often experience sleep deprivation, meaning they feel sluggish even after a full night's rest.

However, because many physical ailments, such as infections and viruses, can also cause fatigue, it can be challenging to find out if fatigue is associated with depression. One way to say: While daily stress is a symptom of this mental illness, other symptoms such as loneliness, hopelessness, and anhedonia daily routine) may also be present when you are depressed.

2. Reduced pain tolerance (aka all hurts more)

Does it feel like your nerves are burning but you can’t find any physical cause for your pain? As it turns out, depression and pain often coexist.

One study in 2015 showed a correlation between depressed people and reduced disease tolerance, while another study in 2010 showed that the disease has a greater impact on depressed people.

These two symptoms have no clear cause-and-effect relationship, but it is important to evaluate them together, especially if your doctor recommends medication. Some research from the Source suggests that the use of anti-depressants may not only help relieve depression, but may also act as an analgesic, pain-resistant.

3. Back pain or muscle pain as a whole You may be okay in the morning, but by the time you are at work or sitting at a school desk, your back is starting to ache. It can be stress, or it can be depression. Although they are often associated with bad posture or injury, back pain can also be a symptom of psychological distress.

A 2017 Research study by 1,013 Canadian university students found a direct correlation between depression and backache. Psychologists and psychiatrists have long believed that emotional issues can cause chronic pain and soreness, but details are still being researched, such as the connection between depression and the body's inflammatory response.

Newer studies suggest Source that inflammation in the body may be related to neurocircuits in our brain. It is thought that inflammation can interfere with brain signal Source, and therefore may play a role in depression and how we treat it.

4. Headache Almost everyone experiences occasional headaches. They are so common that we often write them as nothing serious. Stressful work situations, such as conflict with a coworker, can trigger these headaches.

However, your headache may not always be driven by stress, especially if you have endured your co-worker in the past. If you notice a transition to daily headaches, it can be a sign of sadness.

Unlike severe migraine headaches, headaches associated with depression do not necessarily impair a person's functioning. Described by the National Headache Foundation as “tension headache,” this type of headache can feel like a mild throbbing sensation, especially around the eyebrows. While these headaches are helped by over-the-counter pain medications, they usually recur regularly. Sometimes chronic tension headaches can be a symptom of major depression.

However, headaches are not the only indication that your pain may be psychological. People with depression often experience additional symptoms such as sadness, feelings of irritability, and decreased energy.

5. Eye problems or reduced vision

Did you find that the world looks vague? While depression can cause the world to look gray and gloomy, a 2010 research study in Germany suggests that this mental health concern can affect a person’s vision.

In that study of 80 people, depressed individuals had difficulty seeing differences in black and white. Known by researchers as "contrast perception," it may explain why depression can make the world look cloudy.

6. Abdominal pain or abdominal distress

The feeling of sinking into your stomach is one of the most well-known signs of depression. However, when your stomach starts, it can easily be written off as gas or menstrual pain.

The worsening pain, especially when stress arises, can be a sign of depression. In fact, Harvard Medical School researchers suggest that stomach discomfort such as cramps, bloating, and nausea can be a sign of poor mental health. What is the link? According to Harvard researchers, depression can cause (or be the result of) an inflamed digestive system, a disease that can be easily confused for ailments such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Doctors and scientists sometimes refer to the gut as a “secondary brain,” because they have found a connection between gut health and mental well-being. Our stomachs are full of good bacteria and if there is an imbalance of good bacteria, symptoms of anxiety and depression may appear.

Eating a balanced diet and taking probiotics can improve gut health, which can also improve mood, but more research is needed.

7. Digestive problems or irregular bowel schedules

Digestive problems, such as constipation and diarrhea can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Often caused by food poisoning or gastrointestinal viruses, it is easy to assume that gut discomfort comes from a physical illness. But emotions like sadness, anxiety, and overeating can interfere with our digestive tracks.

A 2011 study suggests a link between anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Pain is another way your brain communicates

If you feel uncomfortable recognizing and talking about sad feelings, such as sadness, anger, and embarrassment, it can cause feelings to be expressed in the body.

If you experience any of these physical symptoms for a long period of time, make an appointment with your primary care physician or nurse. If you do not already have a provider, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect with physicians in your area.

According to the American Psychological Association, depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting 14.8 million American adults each year. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics, exposure to a child's stress or trauma, and brain chemistry. People with depression often need professional help, such as psychotherapy and medication, to fully recover.

So at your appointment, if you suspect these physical symptoms may be over the surface level, request to be screened for depression and anxiety. This way your healthcare provider can contact you with the help you need.